Conservatory Instructors

Hourly Rate: $52.00
Studio Location: TBD
Contact Malika at 587-297-5779

Malika Frost grew up in New Brunswick and began studying violin at age eight, and played in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra for a number of years while studying at Mount Allison University. Malika moved to Grande Prairie in 2012 and she remains an active member of community groups, for instance as the principal violist of the Grande Prairie Community Symphony Orchestra, and has played in the pit orchestra of Les Miserables and Spamalot among others. Malika has been teaching strings in both individual and group settings for more than five years and has experience teaching all ages (3-adult).

Hourly Rate: $60.00
Studio Location: L115
Contact Robert at 780-539-2052

Hourly Rate: $50.00
Studio Location: L127
Contact David at 780-605-0113

Dave began his musical journey at the age of 3 when his parents bought him his first drum set, and has been playing ever since. He took lessons through the GPRC Fine Arts Conservatory from age 6-16. He then went on to study for two years at GPRC, followed by four years at MacEwan University in their Bachelor of Music program, studying jazz and contemporary popular music. Dave has played in many groups over the years, and continues to play professionally. He is currently a member of the indie folk-rock band The Northbloods, and also works as a freelance musician around Alberta for many other artists, playing rock, country, funk, R&B and jazz.

Hourly Rate: $60.00
Studio Location: L115
Contact Robert at 780-539-2052

Hourly Rate: $58.00
Studio Location: L120
Contact Ashley at 780-933-0711

Ashley Clayton has been performing and studying music since she was 10 years old. She has both classical and contemporary experience, playing guitar and clarinet as a student, and has more than 6 years experience as a gigging musician. For 5 years, Ashley performed as the lead guitarist in a local Grande Prairie rock band, gaining experience as a live musician and a recording artist.

Ashley has a Diploma in Music from GPRC, where she studied theory, performance, and studio engineering. She has her Royal Conservatory Level 10 in Theory and History, and is currently completing her ARCT Diploma. Ashley has been teaching guitar since 2011, and has experience teaching all styles of music, including classical guitar. As an instructor, she has a passion for teaching contemporary music (especially alternative rock, pop, and R&B), and places a strong emphasis on theory, while still basing the lesson around music of the student’s choice. All genres are welcome in her classroom!

Currently teaching guitar, bass, and theory in GPRC’s Fine Arts Conservatory, Ashley is pleased to offer lessons for all ages, including adults. Students are welcome to book regular weekly lessons, or a single “drop-in” lesson, and lessons are available through the September - June school year, as well as through the summer.

Hourly Rate: $60.00
Studio Location: Online
Contact Shawn at spinchbeck@gprc.ab.ca

Shawn Pinchbeck is an award-winning artist with studio and live recording expertise spanning over 30 years. He is an expert in music technology and composition and holds an MMus and PhD from the prestigious University of Birmingham Electroacoustic Music Studios and home of the 100+ speaker immersive performance space the Birmingham Electroacoustic Sound Theatre.

His award winning music and film soundtracks have been heard around the world. His latest album Far From the Apple Tree OST on Glass Modern Records is nominated for 2020 Best Scottish Album of the Year in collaboration with hit singer/songwriter Rose McDowall (Strawberry Switchblade, Sorrow, Spell).

Hourly Rate: $55.00
Studio Location: L116
Contact Gwen at 780-766-3362

Gwendolyn Bartek grew up in Ontario. She received her RCM Grade 8 piano certificate there as a child, then an Elementary School Teaching Certificate with Vocal Music Specialist and Primary (Early Childhood) Specialist Certificates. After teaching music briefly, she received a B.A. (psychology and music) and a M.Ed. (Curriculum Design) from Queen’s University then headed west.

Gwendolyn has taught in various Peace Country schools over the last several decades, sometimes kindergarten, sometimes Special Education, but always music; often teaching piano lessons too.

Recently she decided to study piano again, and she left classroom teaching for private instruction. She now has her RCM Grade 10 Certificate in Piano, and her Teacher’s Associate Diploma in Piano from Conservatory Canada. She is a member of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association and is part of the extended executive of the Alberta Piano Teachers’ Association.

Hourly Rate: $48.00
Studio Location: TBD
Contact Breanna at 780-518-7571

My name is Breanna Girvan and I am a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Music Piano Comprehensive program through the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. While my focus was piano, I also had a second study in voice. I started playing piano when I was five years old and ventured into voice when I was eleven. I have recently completed my grade 10 piano and voice exams through the Royal Conservatory of Music. In the 2019-2020 academic year, I was employed by the Augustana Campus Community Music Lessons. In total, I have taught three years of piano lessons (including from my home studio).

I was raised in the Grande Prairie area and spent my formative education years at the elementary and secondary schools in Sexsmith. After high school, I attended GPRC and later transferred to Augustana.

I have been teaching in areas other than music for 12+ years and have volunteered in multiple community projects, both in and out of music. My first love is music and my second love is teaching. Why not combine them and help foster music education in the Peace Country?

Hourly Rate: $65.00
Studio Location: L125
Contact Joshua at 780-300-8400

Hourly Rate: $60.00
Studio Location: L115
Contact Robert at 780-539-2052

Hourly Rate: $52.00
Studio Location: TBD
Contact Malika at 587-297-5779

Malika Frost grew up in New Brunswick and began studying violin at age eight, and played in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra for a number of years while studying at Mount Allison University. Malika moved to Grande Prairie in 2012 and she remains an active member of community groups, for instance as the principal violist of the Grande Prairie Community Symphony Orchestra, and has played in the pit orchestra of Les Miserables and Spamalot among others. Malika has been teaching strings in both individual and group settings for more than five years and has experience teaching all ages (3-adult).

Hourly Rate: $52.00
Studio Location: TBD
Contact Malika at 587-297-5779

Malika Frost grew up in New Brunswick and began studying violin at age eight, and played in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra for a number of years while studying at Mount Allison University. Malika moved to Grande Prairie in 2012 and she remains an active member of community groups, for instance as the principal violist of the Grande Prairie Community Symphony Orchestra, and has played in the pit orchestra of Les Miserables and Spamalot among others. Malika has been teaching strings in both individual and group settings for more than five years and has experience teaching all ages (3-adult).

Hourly Rate: $50.00
Studio Location: L112
Contact Fay at 780-897-0515

Fay Bredeson, an alumna of GPRC's Music Acoustic Diploma program, continued her studies to complete a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice (Comprehensive Major) from the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. In 2009, she returned to Grande Prairie Regional College in the role of Conservatory Assistant. Fay has extensive experience as a solo vocal performer, chorister and choir conductor. She presently maintains an active voice studio and conducts the GPRC Oriana Girls Choir and the Seraphina Womens Choir.

Hourly Rate: $48.00
Studio Location: TBD
Contact Breanna at 780-518-7571

My name is Breanna Girvan and I am a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Music Piano Comprehensive program through the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. While my focus was piano, I also had a second study in voice. I started playing piano when I was five years old and ventured into voice when I was eleven. I have recently completed my grade 10 piano and voice exams through the Royal Conservatory of Music. In the 2019-2020 academic year, I was employed by the Augustana Campus Community Music Lessons. In total, I have taught three years of piano lessons (including from my home studio).

I was raised in the Grande Prairie area and spent my formative education years at the elementary and secondary schools in Sexsmith. After high school, I attended GPRC and later transferred to Augustana.

I have been teaching in areas other than music for 12+ years and have volunteered in multiple community projects, both in and out of music. My first love is music and my second love is teaching. Why not combine them and help foster music education in the Peace Country?

Hourly Rate: $75.00
Studio Location: Sound Module 6
Contact John at 780-832-6142

John Murray is a recently retired Voice Instructor of Grande Prairie Regional College who has a Master of Music degree, in Vocal Performance, from the University of Alberta. As well, he did after-degree study with Dr. Richard Miller at the Institute of Vocal Performance Pedagogy, Oberlin, Ohio. John is interested in giving classical vocal music instruction to students who have a performance focus in mind.